Mother's Day Weekend 2025 at the Museum

Celebrate inspiring, trailblazing women this Mother’s Day weekend at the Museum and learn about the diverse women who played vital roles during the Revolutionary War. Join the Museum to explore the stories of the women from all walks of life including those who made flags for the military, a woman who was an American prisoner-of-war, the women who legally voted in Revolutionary-era New Jersey, and more.

Plus, pick up a free carnation on Sunday, May 11, courtesy of the Museum to wish a happy Mother’s Day to the revolutionary mother figure in your life.

Banners of Liberty: An Exhibition of Original Revolutionary War Flags
Onsite (Patriots Gallery) | Daily
Our newest special exhibition features the largest gathering of rare and significant Revolutionary War flags in more than two centuries. Throughout the gallery, view more than a dozen original flags that were carried in military campaigns stretching from Northern New England to South Carolina, and learn more about some of the women who made them, such as Elizabeth “Betsy” Ross and Rebecca Flower Young.  

Discovery Cart: Rebecca Flower Young
Onsite | Daily
Flag maker Rebecca Flower Young advertised “all kinds of colours” for the Revolutionary cause from her shop here in Philadelphia. Meet a Museum educator to view replica objects and learn more about Young’s work as a military contractor making flags and drum cases for the Continental Army. 

Revolution Place
Onsite (first floor) | Daily
Explore Revolution Place, the Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, now located on the first floor, which brings to life Old City’s lively, diverse neighborhood during the 1700s and invites visitors to learn through hands-on exploration. Kids of all ages can immerse themselves in three historical environments – a military encampment, a tavern, and a parlor – to experience the places where the American Revolution took root. Don't miss your chance to make and take home a Mother’s Day card.

10-Minute Talks: The Baroness von Riesdesel
Onsite | Daily
Enjoy a 10-minute pop-up talk to learn the fascinating but little-known story of the Baroness von Riedesel, who crossed the Atlantic with her three young children to follow Hessian troops, including her husband who commanded Brunswick forces with the British army. She became an American prisoner-of-war and left behind a diary of her experiences, providing a unique perspective on the war beyond the well-known stories taught in school.

Unpack a Sea Chest
Onsite (McCausland Foundation Gallery) | Daily, 2:30 p.m.
Aboard the Museum's replica privateer sloop, join an educator to explore a replica sea chest and its contents.

Make Your Own Pincushion Craft Activity
Onsite (Rotunda) | 11:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Join an educator in the Museum’s rotunda to learn how to sew a pincushion based on examples from the 18th century.

First-Person Performance: Meet Elizabeth Freeman
Onsite (Lenfest Myer Theater) | May 10, 1:40 p.m.
Watch a 30-minute filmed first-person theatrical performance portraying the life and experiences of Elizabeth Freeman, also known as Mumbet, a Massachusetts woman who sued for her freedom from enslavement and won. The performance stars Tiffany Bacon as Elizabeth Freeman and was written by Teresa Miller.

Eyewitness Sketch of the Continental Army
Onsite | Daily
View an eyewitness pen-and-ink sketch of Continental Army soldiers and camp followers, the first wartime depiction of North Carolina troops known to exist. The sketch provides a look at the everyday life of the Continental Army, as well as the women who traveled with them.

When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story, 1776-1807
Online | Daily
Explore the Museum's When Women Lost the Vote online exhibit to learn the little-known history of the nation’s first women voters and examine the political conflicts that led to their voting rights being stripped away.

Find the Perfect Mother’s Day Gift
Onsite & Online | Daily
Find one-of-a-kind gifts at the Museum Shop onsite or online. From a mug bearing Abigail Adams’ call to “Remember the Ladies” and Martha Washington's cacao tea to a 13 original states bracelet and so much more, the Museum Shop has something for everyone.